Adam “MCA” Yauch of the Beastie Boys died on Friday (May 4th) after losing his bought with cancer. In an act of commemoration, world renown entertainer Madonna issued a statement in which she said:

“I’m very sad to hear about Adam’s passing. God bless him and his family.”

When the Beastie Boys were just getting started, the well established Madonna decided to include the trio in her 1985 The Virgin Tour as an opening act. A year later, the Beasties released their iconic debut album License To Ill.

World champion turntabilist Mix Master Mike received the call to work with the Boys on their Grammy Award winning album Hello Nasty. Ever since their collaboration, Mike has been jammin’ out with the trio and was hit particularly hard by the the death of Adam Yauch. The infamous DJ issued a statement to MTV News in which he said:

“The music world has lost an Icon and i lost a brother. I give thanks to Adam Yauch for allowing me to be apart of the Beastie legacy. I am so honored to have graced the stage with my idols for 15 historic years. Thank U for your friendship and thank you for picking me to be your DJ. forever I will hold you close to my heart. My Condolences go out to the Yauch family.”

Tributes Friday night included Chris Martin’s slowed down rendition of the Beastie Boys (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party) and the Red Hot Chili Peppers dedication of their show in Newark, New Jersey as RHCP frontman Anthony Kiedis was quoted by Rolling Stone having said to their audience at the Prudential Center: